Display Device

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/484,350, filed on Sep. 24, 2021, which claims priority from and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0171871 filed on Dec. 10, 2020, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Field

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to a display device and, more specifically to a foldable display device.

Discussion of the Background

The importance of display devices is increasing with the development of multimedia. Accordingly, various kinds of display devices such as liquid crystal display (LCD) devices and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display devices are being used.

Recently, the proportion of mobile electronic devices having a larger display screen while providing a size smaller than or equal to that of a conventional mobile electronic device is increasing, and a foldable display device (or bendable display device) having a structure that is foldable and unfoldable so as to provide a larger screen only at the time of use, is being developed.

Some members constituting the foldable display device may be disposed to be separated from each other based on an area at which a flexible display panel is folded.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for understanding of the background of the inventive concepts, and, therefore, it may contain information that does not constitute prior art.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a display device having a minimum separation distance between members separated from each other based on a folding area while having a small thickness.

Additional features of the inventive concepts will be set forth in the description with follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the inventive concepts.

According to one or more embodiments of the invention, a display device includes a display panel; a first digitizer layer disposed on the display panel; a second digitizer layer disposed on the display panel and separated from the first digitizer layer; a first plate member disposed on the first digitizer layer; and a second plate member disposed on the second digitizer layer, wherein each of the first plate member and the second plate member includes a plurality of plate portions and one or more hinge portions configured to rotatably connect the plurality of plate portions to each other.

An embodiment of a display device includes an integral member disposed in a folding area, a first non-folding area connected to one side of the folding area, and a second non-folding area connected to the other side of the folding area; a first separable member disposed on the integral member and located in the first non-folding area; a second separable member disposed on the integral member, located in the second non-folding area, and separated from the first separable member; a first plate member disposed on the first separable member; and a second plate member disposed on the second separable member, wherein each of the first plate member and the second plate member includes a plurality of plate portions and one or more hinge portions configured to rotatably connect the plurality of plate portions to each other.

An embodiment of a display device having a folding area, a first non-folding area disposed on one side of the folding area, and a second non-folding area disposed on another side of the folding area includes a display panel disposed in the first non-folding area, the folding area, and the second non-folding area; a first digitizer layer disposed in the first non-folding area and overlapping the display panel in a thickness direction; a second digitizer layer that is disposed in the second non-folding area, overlaps the display panel in the thickness direction, and is separated from the first digitizer layer; a first plate member disposed in the first non-folding area and overlapping the first digitizer layer in the thickness direction; and a second plate member disposed in the second non-folding area and overlapping the second digitizer layer in the thickness direction, wherein each of the first plate member and the second plate member includes a plurality of plate portions and a plurality of hinge portions disposed between the plurality of plate portions.

Other details of embodiments for solving the above problems are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are illustrative and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the inventive concepts, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate illustrative embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the inventive concepts.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment that is constructed according to principles of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the display device in a folded state according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C′ of FIG. 2 .

FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views of a display device according to another embodiment.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views of a display device according to still another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. It is apparent, however, that various embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In the accompanying figures, the size and relative sizes of layers, regions, etc., may be exaggerated for clarity and descriptive purposes. Also, like reference numerals denote like elements.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. When, however, an element or layer is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. For the purposes of this disclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z” may be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as, for instance, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, and/or section from another element, component, region, layer, and/or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, and/or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, and/or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for descriptive purposes, and, thereby, to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the drawings. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of an apparatus in use, operation, and/or manufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the apparatus in the drawings is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Furthermore, the apparatus may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations), and, as such, the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms, “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover, the terms “comprises,” comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Various embodiments are described herein with reference to sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments and/or intermediate structures. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, the embodiments disclosed herein should not be construed as limited to the particular illustrated shapes of regions but are to include deviations in shapes that result from, for instance, manufacturing. Thus, the regions illustrated in the drawings are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of a device and are not intended to be limiting.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to one embodiment that is constructed according to principles of the invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the display device in a folded state according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to one embodiment.

Hereinafter, a first direction X, a second direction Y, and a third direction Z cross each other in different directions. For example, the first direction X may be a length direction, the second direction Y may be a width direction, and the third direction Z may be a thickness direction. The first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z may each include two or more directions. For example, the third direction Z may include an upward direction toward an upper side of the drawing and a downward direction toward a lower side of the drawing. In this case, one surface of a member disposed to face in the upward direction may be referred to as an upper surface, and the other surface of the member disposed to face in the downward direction may be referred to as a lower surface. However, the above directions should be understood as referring to relative directions, and the embodiments described herein are not limited thereto.

A display device 1 according to an embodiment may include various devices that display videos or images. Examples of the display device 1 may include smart phones, mobile phones, tablet personal computers (PCs), personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), televisions, game machines, wrist watch-type electronic devices, head-mounted displays, PC monitors, laptop computers, vehicle navigation devices, vehicle dashboards, digital cameras, camcorders, outdoor advertising boards, electronic notice boards, various medical devices, various inspection devices, various home appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines, each including a display part, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and the like, but the embodiments described herein are not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the display device 1 may have a rectangular shape in a plan view. In one embodiment, the display device 1 may have two long sides extending in the first direction X and two short sides in the second direction Y intersecting the first direction X in the plan view. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the display device 1 may have various shapes.

The display device 1 may include a display area DA and a non-display area NDA.

The display area DA may display an image or a video. A plurality of pixels may be disposed in the display area DA. As shown in FIG. 1 , the display area DA may be disposed on an upper surface of the display device 1 . However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the display area DA may be further disposed on at least one of a lower surface and side surfaces of the display device 1 .

The non-display area NDA may not display an image or a video. The non-display area NDA may be disposed around the display area DA. The non-display area NDA may surround the display area DA. The non-display area NDA may be, for example, an area in which a light-blocking member such as a black matrix is disposed. In one embodiment, the display area DA may have a rectangular shape, and the non-display area NDA may be disposed around four sides of the display area DA, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the display device 1 may be a foldable device that is foldable and unfoldable.

The display device 1 may be divided into a folding area FA and non-folding areas NFA 1 and NFA 2 .

The folding area FA is an area that is folded or bent when the display device 1 is folded. The non-folding areas NFA 1 and NFA 2 may be areas that remain flat without being folded or bent when the display device 1 is folded.

The non-folding areas NFA 1 and NFA 2 may include a first non-folding area NFA 1 and a second non-folding area NFA 2 .

The first non-folding area NFA 1 and the second non-folding area NFA 2 may be arranged in the first direction X, and the folding area FA may be disposed between the first non-folding area NFA 1 and the second non-folding area NFA 2 .

The display device 1 may be folded so that the first non-folding area NFA 1 overlaps the second non-folding area NFA 2 , bent so that the first non-folding area NFA 1 is inclined with respect to the second non-folding area NFA 2 , or unfolded to be flat.

For example, the display device 1 may be folded so that the first non-folding area NFA 1 and the second non-folding area NFA 2 form an angle greater than about 0° and less than 180°, or unfolded so that the first non-folding area NFA 1 and the second non-folding area NFA 2 form an angle of about 180°.

As shown in FIG. 1 , when the display device 1 is unfolded, the first non-folding area NFA 1 , the folding area FA, and the second non-folding area NFA 2 may be unfolded to be flat so as not to overlap each other in the thickness direction (i.e., the z axis as shown in FIG. 1 ).

As shown in FIG. 2 , when the display device 1 is folded, the first non-folding area NFA 1 and the second non-folding area NFA 2 may overlap each other in the thickness direction (i.e., the z axis as shown in FIG. 2 ).

When the display device 1 is folded, the first non-folding area NFA 1 and the second non-folding area NFA 2 may be disposed to be inclined with respect to each other. In this case, at least a portion of the first non-folding area NFA 1 and at least a portion of the second non-folding area NFA 2 may overlap each other in the thickness direction or not overlap each other.

In one embodiment, one folding area FA and two non-folding areas NFA 1 and NFA 2 are provided, but the number and arrangement of the folding areas FA and the non-folding areas are not limited thereto. In alternative implementations, members constituting the display device 1 may also be divided into the members in the folding area FA and/or the members in the non-folding areas NFA 1 and NFA 2 .

As shown in FIG. 2 , the display device 1 may be in-folded. The term “in-folded” may denote “being folded such that at least a portion of the display area DA is not exposed to the outside when the display device 1 is folded.

For example, when the display device 1 is folded in a direction in which a portion of the display area DA faces another portion of the display area DA, and the display device 1 is completely folded, the display area DA may be surrounded by at least one another member forming an exterior of the display device 1 and may not be exposed to the outside.

The display device 1 may have an unfolded state in which the display device 1 is unfolded and a folded state in which the display device 1 is folded. The display device may be configured to be freely switchable between the unfolded state and the folded state.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the unfolded state may be a state in which the first non-folding area NFA 1 and the second non-folding area NFA 2 are disposed to be coplanar and parallel to each other. As shown in FIG. 2 , the folded state may be a state in which the first non-folding area NFA 1 and the second non-folding area NFA 2 are disposed to be parallel to each other and completely overlap in the thickness direction.

The folded state may further include a state in which the first non-folding area NFA 1 and the second non-folding area NFA 2 are about half folded. In other words, the first non-folding area NFA 1 (the second non-folding area NFA 2 ) may be disposed to be inclined with respect to the second non-folding area NFA 2 (the first non-folding area NFA 1 ). In this case, the first non-folding area NFA 1 and the second non-folding area NFA 2 may partially overlap each other or not overlap at all according to an angle between the first non-folding area NFA 1 and the second non-folding area NFA 2 .

For example, the unfolded state may be a state in which the angle between the first non-folding area NFA 1 and the second non-folding area NFA 2 of the display device 1 is about 180°, and the folded state may be a state in which the angle between the first non-folding area NFA 1 and the second non-folding area NFA 2 of the display device 1 is greater than or equal to about 0° and less than about 180° and/or greater than about 180° and less than about 360°.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the display device 1 may include a display panel DP, an upper stack structure US stacked on an upper surface of the display panel DP, and a lower stack structure LS stacked on a lower surface of the display panel DP.

The upper surface of the display panel DP may be a surface on which a video or an image is displayed, and the lower surface of the display panel DP may be a surface opposite to the upper surface.

The display panel DP, the upper stack structure US, and the lower stack structure LS may be disposed throughout the first non-folding area NFA 1 , the folding area FA, and the second non-folding area NFA 2 . At least one of members constituting the upper stack structure US and the lower stack structure LS may be separated based on the folding area FA. Due to the separation as described above, it is possible to reduce bending stress generated when the display device 1 is folded and/or to reduce an amount of torque required during folding.

The display panel DP is a panel on which a video or an image is displayed. Examples of the display panel DP include self-luminous display panels such as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, an inorganic electro-luminescence (EL) display panel, a quantum dot light-emitting display (QED) panel, a micro light-emitting display (micro LED) panel, a nano LED panel, a plasma display panel (PDP), a field emission display (FED) panel, and a cathode ray tube (CRT) display panel as well as light-receiving display panels such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and an electrophoretic display (EPD) panel.

The display panel DP may further include a touch member. The touch member may be provided as a panel or film separate from the display panel DP and attached onto the display panel DP but may be provided in the form of a touch layer inside the display panel DP. In the following embodiment, a case will be described in which the touch member is provided inside the display panel DP and included in the display panel DP, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the display panel DP may include a substrate SUB, a circuit driving layer DRL disposed on the substrate SUB, a light-emitting layer EML disposed on the circuit driving layer DRL, an encapsulation layer ENL disposed on the light-emitting layer EML, and a touch layer TSL disposed on the encapsulation layer ENL.

The substrate SUB may be a flexible substrate including a flexible polymer material such as polyimide (PI). Accordingly, the display panel DP may be bendable, foldable, or rollable.

The circuit driving layer DRL may be disposed on the substrate SUB. The circuit driving layer DRL may include a circuit for driving the light-emitting layer EML of the pixel. The circuit driving layer DRL may include a plurality of thin-film transistors.

The light-emitting layer EML may be disposed on the circuit driving layer DRL. The light-emitting layer EML may include an organic light-emitting layer. The light-emitting layer EML may emit light with various levels of luminance according to a driving signal transmitted from the circuit driving layer DRL.

The encapsulation layer ENL may be disposed on the light-emitting layer EML. The encapsulation layer ENL may include an inorganic film or a stacked film of an inorganic film and an organic film.

The touch layer TSL may be disposed on the encapsulation layer ENL. The touch layer TSL may be a layer that detects a touch input and may perform a function of a touch member. The touch layer TSL may include a plurality of detection areas and a plurality of detection electrodes.

In FIG. 3 , the upper stack structure US may include a cover window CW, and a cover window protection layer CWP that are sequentially stacked upward from the display panel DP.

The cover window CW may be disposed on the upper surface of the display panel DP. The cover window CW may serve to protect the display panel DP. The cover window CW may be made of a transparent material. The cover window CW may be made of, for example, glass or plastic. In one embodiment, the cover window CW may be made of glass, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

The cover window protection layer CWP may be disposed on an upper surface of the cover window CW. The cover window protection layer CWP may be implemented as, for example, a transparent polymer film layer (PF) including at least one selected from among polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyether sulfone (PES), polyimide (PI), polyarylate (PAR) polycarbonate (PC), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), and a cyclo olefin polymer (COP) resin.

The upper stack structure US may further include a polarizing member disposed between the cover window CW and the display panel DP. The polarizing member may polarize light passing therethrough. The polarizing member may serve to reduce the reflection of external light. The polarizing member may be a polarizing film. The polarizing member may be replaced with an anti-reflective member including a plurality of color filters and a black matrix disposed therebetween.

The upper stack structure US may include upper coupling members UCM 1 and UCM 2 that couple adjacent stacked members. The upper coupling members UCM 1 and UCM 2 may be disposed throughout the first non-folding area NFA 1 , the folding area FA, and the second non-folding area NFA 2 .

The upper coupling members UCM 1 and UCM 2 may each be optically transparent. The upper coupling members UCM 1 and UCM 2 may each include an optically transparent adhesive, an optically transparent resin, a pressure sensitive adhesive, and the like.

In one embodiment, a first upper coupling member UCM 1 may be disposed between the cover window protection layer CWP and the cover window CW to couple the cover window protection layer CWP and the cover window CW, and a second upper coupling member UCM 2 may be disposed between the cover window CW and the display panel DP to couple the cover window CW and the display panel DP. The first upper coupling member UCM 1 may be referred to as a cover window protective layer coupling member, and the second upper coupling member UCM 2 may be referred to as a cover window coupling member.

The lower stack structure LS may include a polymer film layer PF, a planarization member FLT, a digitizer layer DG, a shielding member MP, a buffer member CH, and a plate member WP that are sequentially stacked downward from the display panel DP.

The polymer film layer PF may be disposed on the lower surface of the display panel DP. The polymer film layer PF may perform a function of supporting and protecting the display panel DP. For example, the polymer film layer PF may include polyimide (PI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polysulfone (PSF), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), triacetyl cellulose (TAC), a cyclo olefin polymer (COP), or the like.

The planarization member FLT may be disposed on a lower surface of the polymer film layer PF. The planarization member FLT may perform a function of planarizing irregularities caused by a stepped portion of electrode patterns of the digitizer layer DG, which will be described later.

The planarization member FLT may include a rigid material that does not change easily in shape or volume by pressure from the outside. For example, the planarization member FLT may include glass. As another example, the planarization member FLT may be a polymer including carbon fibers or glass fibers. When the planarization member FLT includes carbon fibers, the polymer may be epoxy, polyester, polyamide, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polybutylene, or vinyl ester. When the planarization member FLT includes glass fibers, the polymer may be epoxy, polyester, polyamide, or vinyl ester.

A thickness of the planarization member FLT may be greater than a thickness of the digitizer layer DG and/or a thickness of the shielding member MP. When the planarization member FLT includes carbon fibers, the planarization member FLT may have a Young's modulus of about 20 GPa to 30 GPa. When the planarization member FLT includes glass fibers, the planarization member FLT may have a Young's modulus of about 70 GPa to 130 GPa.

The planarization member FLT may have different rigidity in each of the folding area FA and the non-folding areas NFA 1 and NFA 2 . In more detail, the planarization member FLT may include a pattern portion FLT_P disposed in the folding area FA to reduce the rigidity of a portion of the planarization member FLT disposed in the folding area FA. The pattern portion FLT_P may be formed in various shapes such as, for example, a lattice shape, a slit shape, a mesh shape, and a bar shape. In one embodiment, a width of the pattern portion FLT_P in the first direction X may be less than a width of the folding area FA in the first direction X. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the width of the pattern portion FLT_P in the first direction X may be greater than or equal to the width of the folding area FA in the first direction X. In some implementations, the pattern portion FLT_P may be omitted.

The digitizer layer DG may include a first digitizer layer DG 1 and a second digitizer layer DG 2 .

The first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 may be disposed on a lower surface of the planarization member FLT to overlap at least a portion of the planarization member FLT in the thickness direction. In this case, in the unfolded state, the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 may overlap at least a portion of the pattern portion FLT_P in the thickness direction, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

The first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 may be disposed to be separated from each other based on the folding area FA. The first digitizer layer DG 1 may be mainly disposed in the first non-folding area NFA 1 , and the second digitizer layer DG 2 may be mainly disposed in the second non-folding area NFA 2 .

A portion of the first digitizer layer DG 1 and a portion of the second digitizer layer DG 2 may be disposed to be placed over the folding area FA. As shown in FIG. 3 , when the display device 1 is unfolded, the portion of the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the portion of the second digitizer layer DG 2 , which are disposed in the folding area FA, may overlap a portion of the pattern portion FLT_P of the planarization member FLT in the thickness direction.

A gap may be formed between the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 . The gap may be formed between one end of the first digitizer layer DG 1 and one end of the second digitizer layer DG 2 , which are disposed in the folding area FA. A width of the gap may denote a width in the first direction X when the display device 1 is unfolded.

The gap between the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 may overlap at least a portion of the pattern portion FLT_P. The gap between the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 may have a width less than that of the folding area FA and/or the pattern portion FLT_P. For example, the width of the gap between the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 may be less than or equal to about 1.0 mm, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

The first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 may each include electrode patterns for detecting an approach or contact of an electronic pen such as a stylus pen that supports an electromagnetic resonance (EMR) method. The first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 may detect a magnetic field or electromagnetic signal emitted from the electronic pen on the basis of the electrode patterns, and may determine a point having the greatest magnetic field or electromagnetic signal among the detected magnetic fields or electromagnetic signals as a touch coordinate.

The shielding member MP may include a first shielding member MP 1 and a second shielding member MP 2 . The first shielding member MP 1 and the second shielding member MP 2 may be disposed on a lower surface of the first digitizer layer DG 1 and a lower surface of the second digitizer layer DG 2 , respectively.

The first shielding member MP 1 and the second shielding member MP 2 may be disposed to be separated from each other based on the folding area FA. The first shielding member MP 1 may be mainly disposed in the first non-folding area NFA 1 , and the second shielding member MP 2 may be mainly disposed in the second non-folding area NFA 2 .

The first shielding member MP 1 and the second shielding member MP 2 may overlap at least a portion of the first digitizer layer DG 1 and at least a portion of the second digitizer layer DG 2 , respectively, in the thickness direction. In the unfolded state, the first shielding member MP 1 and the second shielding member MP 2 may overlap at least a portion of the pattern portion FLT_P in the thickness direction, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

The first shielding member MP 1 and the second shielding member MP 2 may be disposed to have substantially the same widths as the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 , respectively, in the first direction X. In this case, a portion of the first shielding member MP 1 and a portion of the second shielding member MP 2 may be disposed to be placed over the folding area FA, and a gap formed therebetween may be substantially the same as or similar to the gap formed between the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 .

The first shielding member MP 1 and the second shielding member MP 2 may reduce the magnetic field or electromagnetic signal from being emitted to a lower surface of the first shielding member MP 1 and a lower surface of the second shielding member MP 2 . In more detail, the first shielding member MP 1 and the second shielding member MP 2 may allow the magnetic field or electromagnetic signal passing through the digitizer layer DG to flow into the first shielding member MP 1 and the second shielding member MP 2 . The first shielding member MP 1 and the second shielding member MP 2 may include a magnetic metal powder.

The buffer member CH may include a first buffer member CH 1 and a second buffer member CH 2 . The first buffer member CH 1 and the second buffer member CH 2 may be disposed on the lower surface of the first shielding member MP 1 and the lower surface of the second shielding member MP 2 , respectively. The first buffer member CH 1 and the second buffer member CH 2 may overlap at least a portion of the first shielding member MP 1 and at least a portion of the second shielding member MP 2 , respectively, in the thickness direction. In the unfolded state, the first buffer member CH 1 and the second buffer member CH 2 may overlap at least a portion of the pattern portion FLT_P in the thickness direction, but the pembodiment is not limited thereto.

The first buffer member CH 1 and the second buffer member CH 2 may be disposed to be separated from each other based on the folding area FA. The first buffer member CH 1 may be mainly disposed in the first non-folding area NFA 1 , and the second buffer member CH 2 may be mainly disposed in the second non-folding area NFA 2 .

The first buffer member CH 1 and the second buffer member CH 2 may be disposed to have substantially the same widths as the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 , respectively, in the first direction X. In this case, a portion of the first buffer member CH 1 and a portion of the second buffer member CH 2 may be disposed to be placed over the folding area FA, and a gap formed therebetween may be substantially the same as or similar to the gap formed between the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 .

The first buffer member CH 1 and the second buffer member CH 2 may absorb external impact to prevent a structure stacked thereon, for example, the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 from being damaged. The first buffer member CH 1 and the second buffer member CH 2 may include a material having elasticity, such as rubber, or a sponge obtained by foaming a urethane-based material or an acrylic-based material.

The plate member WP may include a first plate member WP 1 and a second plate member WP 2 . The first plate member WP 1 and the second plate member WP 2 may be disposed on a lower surface of the first buffer member CH 1 and a lower surface of the second buffer member CH 2 , respectively.

At least a portion of the first plate member WP 1 and at least a portion of the second plate member WP 2 may overlap the first buffer member CH 1 and the second buffer member CH 2 , respectively, in the thickness direction. In the unfolded state, the first plate member WP 1 and the second plate member WP 2 may overlap at least a portion of the pattern portion FLT_P in the thickness direction, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

The first plate member WP 1 and the second plate member WP 2 may be disposed to be separated from each other based on the folding area FA. The first plate member WP 1 may be mainly disposed in the first non-folding area NFA 1 , and the second plate member WP 2 may be mainly disposed in the second non-folding area NFA 2 . As shown in FIG. 3 , the first plate member WP 1 and the second plate member WP 2 may have a shape symmetrical to each other with respect to the folding area FA, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

The first plate member WP 1 and the second plate member WP 2 may be disposed to have substantially the same widths as the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 , respectively, in the first direction X. In this case, a portion of the first plate member WP 1 and a portion of the second plate member WP 2 may be disposed to be placed over the folding area FA, and a gap formed therebetween may be substantially the same as the gap formed between the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 . A gap between the first plate member WP 1 and the second plate member WP 2 may denote a gap formed between a third plate portion PLT 3 and a sixth plate portion PLT 6 , which will be described below in more detail.

In some implementations, at least one of the buffer member CH and the shielding member MP may be omitted, and the plate member WP and a sixth lower coupling member LCM 6 , which will be described below in more detail, may be directly disposed on the lower surface of the digitizer layer DG.

The first plate member WP 1 and the second plate member WP 2 may include a plurality of plate portions PLT 1 , PLT 2 , PLT 3 , PLT 4 , PLT 5 , and PLT 6 , and a plurality of hinge portions HG 1 , HG 2 , HG 3 , and HG 4 connecting the plate portions PLT 1 , PLT 2 , PLT 3 , PLT 4 , PLT 5 , and PLT 6 .

The plurality of plate portions PLT 1 , PLT 2 , PLT 3 , PLT 4 , PLT 5 , and PLT 6 and the plurality of hinge portions HG 1 , HG 2 , HG 3 , and HG 4 may control curvatures of the members that are disposed to be separated from each other based on the folding area FA when the display device 1 is folded. In more detail, when the display device 1 is folded, the plurality of plate portions PLT 1 , PLT 2 , PLT 3 , PLT 4 , PLT 5 , and PLT 6 may rotate in different directions to secure the curvatures of the members integrally disposed throughout, for example, the first non-folding area NFA 1 , the folding area FA, and the second non-folding area NFA 2 like the display panel DP, so that the overall thickness of the display device 1 may be reduced while preventing damage to the members.

The plurality of plate portions PLT 1 , PLT 2 , PLT 3 , PLT 4 , PLT 5 , and PLT 6 may each include a rigid material that does not change easily in shape or volume by pressure from the outside. The plurality of plate portions PLT 1 , PLT 2 , PLT 3 , PLT 4 , PLT 5 , and PLT 6 may each be made of a rigid material capable of maintaining a shape when the display device 1 is folded and unfolded. For example, the plurality of plate portions PLT 1 , PLT 2 , PLT 3 , PLT 4 , PLT 5 , and PLT 6 may each be made of a metal. The metal may include a metal having high heat conductivity such as copper, nickel, ferrite, and silver. That is, the plurality of plate portions PLT 1 , PLT 2 , PLT 3 , PLT 4 , PLT 5 , and PLT 6 may each additionally perform a function of a heat dissipation member.

In the following description, the number of the plurality of plate portions PLT 1 , PLT 2 , PLT 3 , PLT 4 , PLT 5 , and PLT 6 and the number of the plurality of hinge portions HG 1 , HG 2 , HG 3 , and HG 4 are respectively illustrated as being 6 and 4 , but the number of the plurality of plate portions PLT 1 , PLT 2 , PLT 3 , PLT 4 , PLT 5 , and PLT 6 and the number of the plurality of hinge portions HG 1 , HG 2 , HG 3 , and HG 4 are not limited thereto.

The first plate member WP 1 may include a first plate portion PLT 1 , a second plate portion PLT 2 , the third plate portion PLT 3 , a first hinge portion HG 1 , and a second hinge portion HG 2 .

The first plate portion PLT 1 , the second plate portion PLT 2 , and the third plate portion PLT 3 may each be formed of a plate-shaped member and may be arranged in the first direction X on the lower surface of the first buffer member CH 1 .

The first plate portion PLT 1 may be mainly disposed in the first non-folding area NFA 1 , and the second plate portion PLT 2 and the third plate portion PLT 3 may be mainly disposed in the folding area FA. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the first plate portion PLT 1 may be further disposed in the folding area FA, and the second plate portion PLT 2 may be further disposed in the first non-folding area NFA 1 .

A width of the first plate portion PLT 1 in the first direction X may be greater than a width of each of the second plate portion PLT 2 and the third plate portion PLT 3 in the first direction X. In this case, the width of the second plate portion PLT 2 in the first direction X may be greater than that of the third plate portion PLT 3 . However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the width of the second plate portion PLT 2 may be less than or equal to that of the third plate portion PLT 3 .

The first hinge portion HG 1 may rotatably connect one end of the first plate portion PLT 1 and one end of the second plate portion PLT 2 , and the second hinge portion HG 2 may rotatably connect the other end of the second plate portion PLT 2 and one end of the third plate portion PLT 3 . In some implementations, the first hinge portion HG 1 and the second hinge portion HG 2 may each include a mechanical hinge including a shaft, a rotor, and the like, or an elastic hinge including a member made of an elastic material that may be bent.

The first hinge portion HG 1 may be disposed at a boundary between the folding area FA and the first non-folding area NFA 1 , and the second hinge portion HG 2 may be disposed in the folding area FA. The boundary between the folding area FA and the first non-folding area NFA 1 may include a portion adjacent to the boundary. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the first hinge portion HG 1 may be located in the first non-folding area NFA 1 or the folding area FA, or the second hinge portion HG 2 may be located at the boundary between the first non-folding area NFA 1 and the folding area FA.

The second plate member WP 2 may include a fourth plate portion PLT 4 , a fifth plate portion PLT 5 , the sixth plate portion PLT 6 , a third hinge portion HG 3 , and a fourth hinge portion HG 4 .

The fourth plate portion PLT 4 , the fifth plate portion PLT 5 , and the sixth plate portion PLT 6 may each be formed of a plate-shaped member and may be arranged in the first direction X on the lower surface of the second buffer member CH 2 . The fourth plate portion PLT 4 may be mainly disposed in the second non-folding area NFA 2 , and the fifth plate portion PLT 5 and the sixth plate portion PLT 6 may be mainly disposed in the folding area FA. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the fourth plate portion PLT 4 may be further disposed in the folding area FA, and the fifth plate portion PLT 5 may be further disposed in the second non-folding area NFA 2 .

A width of the fourth plate portion PLT 4 in the first direction X may be greater than a width of each of the fifth plate portion PLT 5 and the sixth plate portion PLT 6 in the first direction X. In this case, the width of the fifth plate portion PLT 5 in the first direction X may be greater than that of the sixth plate portion PLT 6 . However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the width of the fifth plate portion PLT 5 may be less than or equal to that of the sixth plate portion PLT 6 .

The third hinge portion HG 3 may rotatably connect one end of the fourth plate portion PLT 4 and one end of the fifth plate portion PLT 5 , and the fourth hinge portion HG 4 may rotatably connect the other end of the fifth plate portion PLT 5 and one end of the sixth plate portion PLT 6 . The third hinge portion HG 3 and the fourth hinge portion HG 4 may each include a mechanical hinge including a shaft, a rotor, and the like, or an elastic hinge including a member made of an elastic material that may be bent.

The third hinge portion HG 3 may be disposed at a boundary between the folding area FA and the second non-folding area NFA 2 , and the fourth hinge portion HG 4 may be disposed in the folding area FA. The boundary between the folding area FA and the second non-folding area NFA 2 may include a portion adjacent to the boundary. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the third hinge portion HG 3 may be located in the second non-folding area NFA 2 or the folding area FA, or the fourth hinge portion HG 4 may be located at the boundary between the second non-folding area NFA 2 and the folding area FA.

The lower stack structure LS may further include lower coupling members LCM 1 , LCM 2 , LCM 3 , LCM 4 , LCM 5 , and LCM 6 that couple adjacent stacked members. Each of the lower coupling members LCM 1 , LCM 2 , LCM 3 , LCM 4 , LCM 5 , and LCM 6 may be disposed throughout the first non-folding area NFA 1 , the folding area FA, and the second non-folding area NFA 2 , and disposed to be separated from each other based on a center of the folding area FA.

The lower coupling members LCM 1 , LCM 2 , LCM 3 , LCM 4 , LCM 5 , and LCM 6 may each be optically transparent. The lower coupling members LCM 1 , LCM 2 , LCM 3 , LCM 4 , LCM 5 , and LCM 6 may each include an optically transparent adhesive, an optically transparent resin, a pressure sensitive adhesive, and the like.

In one embodiment, a first lower coupling member LCM 1 may be between the display panel DP and the polymer film layer PF to couple the display panel DP and the polymer film layer PF, a second lower coupling member LCM 2 may be disposed between the polymer film layer PF and the planarization member FLT to couple the polymer film layer PF and the planarization member FLT, and a third lower coupling member LCM 3 may be disposed between the planarization member FLT and the digitizer layer DG to couple the planarization member FLT and the digitizer layer DG. In addition, a fourth lower coupling member LCM 4 may be disposed between the digitizer layer DG and the shielding member MP to couple the digitizer layer DG and the shielding member MP, a fifth lower coupling member LCM 5 may be disposed between the shielding member MP and the buffer member CH to couple the shielding member MP and the buffer member CH, the sixth lower coupling member LCM 6 may be disposed between the buffer member CH and the plate member WP to couple the buffer member CH and the plate member WP.

The first lower coupling member LCM 1 , the second lower coupling member LCM 2 , the third lower coupling member LCM 3 , the fourth lower coupling member LCM 4 , the fifth lower coupling member LCM 5 , and the sixth lower coupling member LCM 6 may be referred to as a polymer film layer coupling member, a planarization member coupling member, a digitizer layer coupling member, a shielding member coupling member, a buffer member coupling member, and a plate member coupling member, respectively.

The first lower coupling member LCM 1 may be disposed throughout the first non-folding area NFA 1 , the folding area FA, and the second non-folding area NFA.

The second lower coupling member LCM 2 may include a second-first lower coupling member LCM 2 - 1 mainly disposed in the first non-folding area NFA 1 and a second-second lower coupling member LCM 2 - 2 mainly disposed in the second non-folding area NFA 2 .

A portion of the second-first lower coupling member LCM 2 - 1 and a portion of the second-second lower coupling member LCM 2 - 2 may be disposed to be placed over the folding area FA, and a gap may be formed between the second-first lower coupling member LCM 2 - 1 and the second-second lower coupling member LCM 2 - 2 in the folding area FA.

A width of the gap between the second-first lower coupling member LCM 2 - 1 and the second-second lower coupling member LCM 2 - 2 in the first direction X may be less than that of the folding area FA, but greater than that of the pattern portion FLT_P. The width of the gap between the second-first lower coupling member LCM 2 - 1 and the second-second lower coupling member LCM 2 - 2 in the first direction X may be greater than the width of the gap between the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 in the first direction X. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and an end portion of each of the second-first lower coupling member LCM 2 - 1 and the second-second lower coupling member LCM 2 - 2 disposed toward the folding area FA may be located at the boundary of the folding area FA.

The third lower coupling member LCM 3 may include a third-first lower coupling member LCM 3 - 1 mainly disposed in the first non-folding area NFA 1 and a third-second lower coupling member LCM 3 - 2 mainly disposed in the second non-folding area NFA 2 .

A width of the third-first lower coupling member LCM 3 - 1 in the first direction X and a width of the third-second lower coupling member LCM 3 - 2 in the first direction X may be greater than or equal to the width of the second-first lower coupling member LCM 2 - 1 in the first direction X and the width of the second-second lower coupling member LCM 2 - 2 in the first direction X, respectively, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

A portion of the third-first lower coupling member LCM 3 - 1 and a portion of the third-second lower coupling member LCM 3 - 2 may be disposed to be placed over the folding area FA, and a gap may be formed between the third-first lower coupling member LCM 3 - 1 and the third-second lower coupling member LCM 3 - 2 in the folding area FA.

The gap between the third-first lower coupling member LCM 3 - 1 and the third-second lower coupling member LCM 3 - 2 may be substantially the same as or similar to the gap between the second-first lower coupling member LCM 2 - 1 and the second-second lower coupling member LCM 2 - 2 .

The fourth lower coupling member LCM 4 may include a fourth-first lower coupling member LCM 4 - 1 mainly disposed in the first non-folding area NFA 1 and a fourth-second lower coupling member LCM 4 - 2 mainly disposed in the second non-folding area NFA 2 .

A width of each of the fourth-first lower coupling member LCM 4 - 1 and the fourth-second lower coupling member LCM 4 - 2 in the first direction X may be greater than or equal to the width of each of the third-first lower coupling member LCM 3 - 1 and the third-second lower coupling member LCM 3 - 2 in the first direction X, respectively.

A portion of the fourth-first lower coupling member LCM 4 - 1 and a portion of the fourth-second lower coupling member LCM 4 - 2 may be disposed to be placed over the folding area FA, and a gap may be formed between the fourth-first lower coupling member LCM 4 - 1 and the fourth-second lower coupling member LCM 4 - 2 in the folding area FA.

A width of the gap between the fourth-first lower coupling member LCM 4 - 1 and the fourth-second lower coupling member LCM 4 - 2 in the first direction X may be greater than or equal to the width of the gap between the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 in the first direction X, but may be less than the width of the pattern portion FLT_P in the first direction X.

The fifth lower coupling member LCM 5 may include a fifth-first lower coupling member LCM 5 - 1 mainly disposed in the first non-folding area NFA 1 and a fifth-second lower coupling member LCM 5 - 2 mainly disposed in the second non-folding area NFA 2 .

A width of each of the fifth-first lower coupling member LCM 5 - 1 and the fifth-second lower coupling member LCM 5 - 2 in the first direction X may be substantially the same as or similar to the width of each of the fourth-first lower coupling member LCM 4 - 1 and the fourth-second lower coupling member LCM 4 - 2 in the first direction X, respectively.

A portion of the fifth-first lower coupling member LCM 5 - 1 and a portion of the fifth-second lower coupling member LCM 5 - 2 may be disposed to be placed over the folding area FA, and a gap may be formed between the fifth-first lower coupling member LCM 5 - 1 and the fifth-second lower coupling member LCM 5 - 2 in the folding area FA.

The gap between the fifth-first lower coupling member LCM 5 - 1 and the fifth-second lower coupling member LCM 5 - 2 may be substantially the same as or similar to the gap between the fourth-first lower coupling member LCM 4 - 1 and the fourth-second lower coupling member LCM 4 - 2 .

The sixth lower coupling member LCM 6 may include a sixth-first lower coupling member LCM 6 - 1 mainly disposed in the first non-folding area NFA 1 and a sixth-second lower coupling member LCM 6 - 2 mainly disposed in the second non-folding area NFA 2 .

A width of each of the sixth-first lower coupling member LCM 6 - 1 and the sixth-second lower coupling member LCM 6 - 2 in the first direction X may be less than or equal to the width of each of the second-first lower coupling member LCM 2 - 1 and the second-second lower coupling member LCM 2 - 2 in the first direction X, respectively. Accordingly, at least a portion of the second plate portion PLT 2 , the third plate portion PLT 3 , at least a portion of the fifth plate portion PLT 5 , and the sixth plate portion PLT 6 may not be attached to the buffer member CH.

A gap may be formed between the sixth-first lower coupling member LCM 6 - 1 and the sixth-second lower coupling member LCM 6 - 2 . The gap between the sixth-first lower coupling member LCM 6 - 1 and the sixth-second lower coupling member LCM 6 - 2 may be mainly disposed in the folding area FA.

A width of the gap between the sixth-first lower coupling member LCM 6 - 1 and the sixth-second lower coupling member LCM 6 - 2 in the first direction X may be substantially the same as that of the folding area FA. An end portion of each of the sixth-first lower coupling member LCM 6 - 1 and the sixth-second lower coupling member LCM 6 - 2 disposed toward the folding area FA may be aligned with the boundary of the folding area FA. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the width of the gap between the sixth-first lower coupling member LCM 6 - 1 and the sixth-second lower coupling member LCM 6 - 2 may be less than or greater than that of the folding area FA.

The sixth-first lower coupling member LCM 6 - 1 may be interposed between the first plate portion PLT 1 and the first buffer member CH 1 , and the sixth-second lower coupling member LCM 6 - 2 may be interposed between the fourth plate portion PLT 4 and the second buffer member CH 2 . The end portion of the sixth-first lower coupling member LCM 6 - 1 and the end portion of the sixth-second lower coupling member LCM 6 - 2 , which are disposed toward the folding area FA, may overlap the first hinge portion HG 1 and the third hinge portion HG 3 , respectively, in the thickness direction. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the end portion of the sixth-first lower coupling member LCM 6 - 1 and the end portion of the sixth-second lower coupling member LCM 6 - 2 may be disposed on a space between the first hinge portion HG 1 and the second hinge portion HG 2 and a space between the third hinge portion HG 3 and the fourth hinge portion HG 4 , respectively.

In some implementations, the display device 1 may further include one or more coupling members disposed to be separated from the sixth lower coupling member LCM 6 , and each disposed between the second plate portion PLT 2 and the first buffer member CH 1 , between the third plate portion PLT 3 and the first buffer member CH 1 , between the fifth plate portion PLT 5 and the second buffer member CH 2 , and/or between the sixth plate portion PLT 6 and the second buffer member CH 2 .

The second-first lower coupling member LCM 2 - 1 , the second-second lower coupling member LCM 2 - 2 , the third-first lower coupling member LCM 3 - 1 , the third-second lower coupling member LCM 3 - 2 , the fourth-first lower coupling member LCM 4 - 1 , the fourth-second lower coupling member LCM 4 - 2 , the fifth-first lower coupling member LCM 5 - 1 , the fifth-second lower coupling member LCM 5 - 2 , the sixth-first lower coupling member LCM 6 - 1 , and the sixth-second lower coupling member LCM 6 - 2 may be referred to as a first planarization member coupling member, a second planarization member coupling member, a first digitizer layer coupling member, a second digitizer layer coupling member, a first shielding member coupling member, a second shielding member coupling member, a first buffer member coupling member, a second buffer member coupling member, a first plate member coupling member, and a second plate member coupling member, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 3 , one or more members constituting the display device 1 may be divided into integral members disposed to be integrally connected throughout the first non-folding area NFA 1 , the folding area FA, and the second non-folding area NFA 2 and separable members disposed to be separated based on the folding area FA.

The integral members may include, for example, the cover window protection layer CWP, the cover window CW, the display panel DP, the polymer film layer PF, the planarization member FLT, and the upper coupling members UCM 1 and UCM 2 . The separable members may include, for example, the digitizer layer DG, the shielding member MP, the buffer member CH, the plate member WP, the second lower coupling member LCM 2 , the third lower coupling member LCM 3 , the fourth lower coupling member LCM 4 , the fifth lower coupling member LCM 5 , and the sixth lower coupling member LCM 6 .

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 1 . FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C′ of FIG. 2 .

For convenience of description, the members other than the display panel DP, the planarization member FLT, the digitizer layer DG, the plate member WP, the second lower coupling member LCM 2 , the third lower coupling member LCM 3 , and the sixth lower coupling member LCM 6 are not illustrated for ease in explanation of these figures.

Referring to FIG. 5 , in the unfolded state, the display panel DP, the planarization member FLT, the digitizer layer DG, and the plate member WP may be unfolded to be a flat state. In this case, the gap may be formed between the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 and between the first plate member WP 1 and the second plate member WP 2 . A width of the gap may be less than the width of each of the folding area FA and the pattern portion FLT_P. As described above, the width of the gap may be less than or equal to about 1.0 mm, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

A distance between the first hinge portion HG 1 and the third hinge portion HG 3 in the first direction X may be greater than the width of the pattern portion FLT_P in the first direction X. As shown in FIG. 5 , the first hinge portion HG 1 and the third hinge portion HG 3 may be aligned to respectively overlap the boundaries of the folding area FA in the thickness direction. In this case, the end portions of the sixth-first lower coupling member LCM 6 - 1 and the sixth-second lower coupling member LCM 6 - 2 may also be aligned to respectively overlap the boundaries of the folding area FA in the thickness direction. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the first hinge portion HG 1 , the third hinge portion HG 3 , the sixth-first lower coupling member LCM 6 - 1 , and/or the sixth-second lower coupling member LCM 6 - 2 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the boundaries of the folding area FA. In this case, each of the first hinge portion HG 1 , the third hinge portion HG 3 , the sixth-first lower coupling member LCM 6 - 1 , and/or the sixth-second lower coupling member LCM 6 - 2 may be located in the non-folding areas NFA 1 and NFA 2 , or may be located in the folding area FA.

The second hinge portion HG 2 and the fourth hinge portion HG 4 may be disposed between the first hinge portion HG 1 and the third hinge portion HG 3 . A distance between the second hinge portion HG 2 and the fourth hinge portion HG 4 may be less than the distance between the first hinge portion HG 1 and the third hinge portion HG 3 . The distance between the second hinge portion HG 2 and the fourth hinge portion HG 4 in the first direction X may be substantially the same as the width of the pattern portion FLT_P in the first direction X. The second hinge portion HG 2 and the fourth hinge portion HG 4 may be disposed to overlap the end portions of the pattern portion FLT_P in the thickness direction by being respectively aligned with the end portions of the pattern portion FLT_P. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the distance between the second hinge portion HG 2 and the fourth hinge portion HG 4 may be less than or greater than the width of the pattern portion FLT_P.

A distance between the second-first lower coupling member LCM 2 - 1 and the second-second lower coupling member LCM 2 - 2 in the first direction X may be greater than the width of the pattern portion FLT_P in the first direction X, but may be less than the width of the folding area FA in the first direction X. The end portion of each of the second-first lower coupling member LCM 2 - 1 and the second-second lower coupling member LCM 2 - 2 may be disposed in the folding area FA. An end portion of each of the third-first lower coupling member LCM 3 - 1 and the third-second lower coupling member LCM 3 - 2 may be aligned to overlap the end portion of each of the second-first lower coupling member LCM 2 - 1 and the second-second lower coupling member LCM 2 - 2 , respectively, in the thickness direction. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the end portion of each of the second-first lower coupling member LCM 2 - 1 , the second-second lower coupling member LCM 2 - 2 , the third-first lower coupling member LCM 3 - 1 , and/or the third-second lower coupling member LCM 3 - 2 may be disposed to overlap the boundaries of the folding area FA.

Referring to FIG. 6 , in the folded state, the first plate member WP 1 , the first digitizer layer DG 1 , the second-first lower coupling member LCM 2 - 1 , the third-first lower coupling member LCM 3 - 1 , and the sixth-first lower coupling member LCM 6 - 1 may respectively overlap the second plate member WP 2 , the second digitizer layer DG 2 , the second-second lower coupling member LCM 2 - 2 , the third-second lower coupling member LCM 3 - 2 , and the sixth-second lower coupling member LCM 6 - 2 . In the folded state, the width of the gap between the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 and a width of the gap between the first plate member WP 1 and the second plate member WP 2 may be increased compared to those in the unfolded state.

In the folded state, an outmost end of a curved portion of the display panel DP and/or an outmost end of a curved portion of the planarization member FLT may be disposed so as not to protrude further than the first plate member WP 1 and the second plate member WP 2 . In the folded state, the second hinge portion HG 2 and the fourth hinge portion HG 4 may be aligned to respectively overlap one end and the other end of the pattern portion FLT_P in the thickness direction, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

In the folded state, the first plate portion PLT 1 and the fourth plate portion PLT 4 may be disposed to overlap to be parallel with each other, and the second plate portion PLT 2 and the fifth plate portion PLT 5 may be disposed to be inclined with respect to the first plate portion PLT 1 and the fourth plate portion PLT 4 , respectively.

In more detail, the second plate portion PLT 2 may be inclined in a direction in which a distance to the fifth plate portion PLT 5 increases from one end connected to the first plate portion PLT 1 to the other end connected to the third plate portion PLT 3 , and the fifth plate portion PLT 5 may be inclined in a direction in which a distance to the second plate portion PLT 2 increases from one end connected to the fourth plate portion PLT 4 to the other end connected to the sixth plate portion PLT 6 .

In the folded state, the third plate portion PLT 3 and the sixth plate portion PLT 6 may also be disposed to overlap in the thickness direction so as to be parallel to each other. In this case, the third plate portion PLT 3 and the sixth plate portion PLT 6 may be parallel to the first plate portion PLT 1 and the fourth plate portion PLT 4 , respectively. That is, in the folded state, the first plate member WP 1 and the second plate member WP 2 may each have a shape that is bent twice with respect to the plurality of hinge portions HG 1 , HG 2 , HG 3 , and HG 4 in a cross-sectional view.

In the folded state, a distance between one end (the first hinge portion HG 1 ) of the first plate portion PLT 1 and one end of the fourth plate portion PLT 4 (the third hinge portion HG 3 ) may be less than a distance between the other end of the second plate portion PLT 2 (the second hinge portion HG 2 ) and the other end of the fifth plate portion PLT 5 (the fourth hinge portion HG 4 ). The distance between the other end of the second plate portion PLT 2 (the second hinge portion HG 2 ) and the other end of the fifth plate portion PLT 5 (the fourth hinge portion HG 4 ) may be substantially the same as a distance between the other end of the third plate portion PLT 3 , which is opposite to one end of the third plate portion PLT 3 connected to the second plate portion PLT 2 , and the other end of the sixth plate portion PLT 6 , which is opposite to one end of the sixth plate portion PLT 6 connected to the fifth plate portion PLT 5 . The distance between the other end of the third plate portion PLT 3 and the other end of the sixth plate portion PLT 6 may be the width of the gap between the first plate member WP 1 and the second plate member WP 2 .

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , when the unfolded state is switched to the folded state, the members located in the first non-folding area NFA 1 may rotate about a folding axis FX extending in the second direction Y in a first rotation direction. When the unfolded state is switched to the folded state, the members located in the second non-folding area NFA 2 may rotate about the folding axis FX in a second rotation direction.

The folding axis FX is spaced apart from a center of curvature of the display panel DP and/or the planarization member FLT and is located outside the display device 1 , but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The folding axis FX may be located inside the display device 1 , may overlap the center of curvature of the display device 1 , and may be disposed in plural.

A portion of each of the display panel DP and the planarization member FLT located in the folding area may be bent to have a curvature. As shown in FIG. 6 , when the display panel DP and the planarization member FLT located in the folding area FA are completely folded, the display panel DP and the planarization member FLT, which are located in the folding area FA, may have, for example, a dumbbell shape or a droplet shape that has a rounded end portion in a cross-sectional view. The curvature of the display panel DP and/or the planarization member FLT may have a curvature radius R of about 2.5 mm or less, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

In the folded state, the bent portion of each of the display panel DP and the planarization member FLT may be located between the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 . An end portion of each of the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 , which is disposed in the folding area FA, and a portion adjacent thereto may also be bent to correspond to the curved shape of the display panel DP and the planarization member FLT. The second lower coupling member LCM 2 and the third lower coupling member LCM 3 that are disposed to be placed over the folding area FA may also be bent in a shape corresponding to the curvature of the display panel DP and the planarization member FLT.

In more detail, a portion of the first digitizer layer DG 1 disposed on the second plate portion PLT 2 and the third plate portion PLT 3 in the unfolded state and a portion of the second digitizer layer DG 2 disposed on the fifth plate portion PLT 5 and the sixth plate portion PLT 6 in the unfolded state may be bent in accordance with the shape of the display panel DP and the planarization member FLT in the folded state. For example, the portion of the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the portion of the second digitizer layer DG 2 may be bent so as to have an approximate S-shape, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

When the unfolded state is switched to the folded state, the first plate member WP 1 (the first plate portion PLT 1 ) may rotate about the folding axis FX in the first rotation direction. In this case, although not shown in the drawing, the second plate member WP 2 (the fourth plate portion PLT 4 ) may rotate about the folding axis FX in the second rotation direction, which is opposite to the first rotation direction.

For example, the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction may be clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, based on FIGS. 5 and 6 .

When the unfolded state is switched to the folded state, the second plate portion PLT 2 may further rotate in the first rotation direction with respect to the first hinge portion HG 1 , and the third plate portion PLT 3 may further rotate in the second rotation direction with respect to the second hinge portion HG 2 . In addition, the fifth plate portion PLT 5 may further rotate in the second rotation direction with respect to the third hinge portion HG 3 , and the sixth plate portion PLT 6 may further rotate in the first rotation direction with respect to the fourth hinge portion HG 4 .

When the unfolded state is switched to the folded state, the second plate portion PLT 2 and the fifth plate portion PLT 5 may rotate so that a distance between the other side (the second hinge portion HG 2 ) of the second plate portion PLT 2 , which is connected to the third plate portion PLT 3 , and the other side (the fourth hinge portion HG 4 ) of the fifth plate portion PLT 5 , which is connected to the sixth plate portion PLT 6 , increases. In this case, the third plate portion PLT 3 and the sixth plate portion PLT 6 may rotate so that a distance between the other side of the third plate portion PLT 3 , which is opposite to one side of the third plate portion PLT 3 connected to the second plate portion PLT 2 , and the other side of the sixth plate portion PLT 6 , which is opposite to one side of the sixth plate portion PLT 6 connected to the fifth plate portion PLT 5 , decreases.

Due to the rotation of the third plate portion PLT 3 and the sixth plate portion PLT 6 , the end portion of the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the end portion of the second digitizer layer DG 2 may be bent in one side direction in which the gap formed between the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 decreases. The one side direction may be, for example, a direction in which the center of curvature of the display panel DP (the planarization member FLT) is located and/or a direction in which the folding axis FX is located. Accordingly, a first thickness T 1 in the case in which the display device 1 according to one embodiment is folded may be less than a second thickness T 2 in the case in which the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 are not bent. For example, a difference between the second thickness T 2 and the first thickness T 1 may be about 2.0 mm, but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

When the folded state is switched to the unfolded state, the rotation of the first plate member WP 1 and the second plate member WP 2 may be performed in a direction opposite to the rotation direction in the case in which the unfolded state is switched to the folded state. In more detail, when the folded state is switched to the unfolded state, the first plate member WP 1 and the second plate member WP 2 may rotate about the folding axis FX in the second rotation direction and the first rotation direction, respectively. In this case, the second plate portion PLT 2 may further rotate in the second rotation direction with respect to the first hinge portion HG 1 , the third plate portion PLT 3 may further rotate in the second rotation direction with respect to the second hinge portion HG 2 , the fifth plate portion PLT 5 may further rotate in the first rotation direction with respect to the third hinge portion HG 3 , and the sixth plate portion PLT 6 may further rotate in the second rotation direction with respect to the fourth hinge portion HG 4 .

FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views of a display device according to another embodiment.

FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively illustrate a cross-section of a display device 1 in a folded state and a cross-section of the display device 1 in an unfolded state, similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 .

Referring to FIG. 7 , the display device 1 may further include a first base member BS 1 and a second base member BS 2 disposed on a lower surface of a first plate member WP 1 and a lower surface of a second plate member WP 2 , respectively.

The first base member BS 1 may be mainly disposed in a first non-folding area NFA 1 , and the second base member BS 2 may be mainly disposed in a second non-folding area NFA 2 . A portion of each of the first base member BS 1 and the second base member BS 2 may be disposed to be placed over a folding area FA. A gap may be formed between the first base member BS 1 and the second base member BS 2 . In the unfolded state, the gap may be disposed to overlap a gap between the first plate member WP 1 and the second plate member WP 2 in the folding area FA (between a first digitizer layer DG 1 and a second digitizer layer DG 2 ) in the thickness direction.

The first base member BS 1 and the second base member BS 2 may include upper surfaces BS 1 _IS and BS 2 _IS, respectively, facing the plate member WP. The upper surface BS 1 _IS of the first base member BS 1 and the upper surface BS 2 _IS of the second base member BS 2 may be inner side surfaces of the first base member BS 1 and the second base member BS 2 , respectively.

The upper surface BS 1 _IS of the first base member BS 1 may include a first flat surface BS 1 _IS 1 disposed on a first plate portion PLT 1 , a first inclined surface BS 1 _IS 2 disposed on a second plate portion PLT 2 , and a second flat surface BS 1 _IS 3 disposed on a third plate portion PLT 3 .

The upper surface BS 2 _IS of the second base member BS 2 may include a third flat surface BS 2 _IS 1 disposed on a fourth plate portion PLT 4 , a second inclined surface BS 2 _IS 2 disposed on a fifth plate portion PLT 5 , and a fourth flat surface BS 2 _IS 3 disposed on a sixth plate portion PLT 6 .

In the unfolded state, the first plate portion PLT 1 may be seated on the first flat surface BS 1 _IS 1 , and the fourth plate portion PLT 4 may be seated on the third flat surface BS 2 _IS 1 . In this case, the second plate portion PLT 2 , the third plate portion PLT 3 , the fifth plate portion PLT 5 , and the sixth plate portion PLT 6 may be spaced apart from the first base member BS 1 and the second base member BS 2 , but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, in the unfolded state, the first plate portion PLT 1 and the second plate portion PLT 2 may also be spaced apart from the first base member BS 1 and the second base member BS 2 .

One side of the first inclined surface BS 1 _IS 2 is connected to one side of the first flat surface BS 1 _IS 1 , and the other side of the first inclined surface BS 1 _IS 2 may be connected to one side of the second flat surface BS 1 _IS 3 . One side of the second inclined surface BS 2 _IS 2 is connected to one side of the third flat surface BS 2 _IS 1 , and the other side of the second inclined surface BS 2 _IS 2 may be connected to one side of the fourth flat surface BS 2 _IS 3 .

Referring to FIG. 7 again, the first inclined surface BS 1 _IS 2 may be inclined such that a thickness of the first base member BS 1 decreases from one side of the first inclined surface BS 1 _IS 2 to the other side of the first inclined surface BS 1 _IS 2 . The first inclined surface BS 1 _IS 2 may be inclined such that the thickness of the first base member BS 1 decreases as it approaches the gap between the first base member BS 1 and the second base member BS 2 .

The second inclined surface BS 2 _IS 2 may be inclined such that a thickness of the second base member BS 2 decreases from one side of the second inclined surface BS 2 _IS 2 to the other side of the second inclined surface BS 2 _IS 2 . The second inclined surface BS 2 _IS 2 may be inclined such that the thickness of the second base member BS 2 decreases as it approaches the gap between the first base member BS 1 and the second base member BS 2 .

A distance between the first flat surface BS 1 _IS 1 (one side of the first inclined surface BS 1 _IS 2 ) and the first plate portion PLT 1 may be less than a distance between the second flat surface BS 1 _IS 3 (the other side of the first inclined surface BS 1 _IS 2 ) and the third plate portion PLT 3 .

A distance between the third flat surface BS 2 _IS 1 (one side of the second inclined surface BS 2 _IS 2 ) and the fourth plate portion PLT 4 may be less than a distance between the fourth flat surface BS 2 _IS 3 (the other side of the second inclined surface BS 2 _IS 2 ) and the sixth plate portion PLT 6 .

In the unfolded state, the first inclined surface BS 1 _IS 2 , the second flat surface BS 1 _IS 3 , the fourth flat surface BS 2 _IS 3 , and the second inclined surface BS 2 _IS 2 may form a recessed portion recessed downward in a cross-sectional view and a gap may be formed between the second flat surface BS 1 _IS 3 and the fourth flat surface BS 2 _IS 3 .

In some implementations, in the unfolded state, the display device 1 may further include one or more coupling members each disposed between the second plate portion PLT 2 and the first digitizer layer DG 1 , between the fifth plate portion PLT 5 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 , and/or between the sixth plate portion PLT 6 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 . The coupling members may be disposed to be separated from each other based on a first hinge portion HG 1 , a second hinge portion HG 2 , a third hinge portion HG 3 , and/or a fourth hinge portion HG 4 , and may be disposed to be integrally connected to a sixth-first lower coupling member LCM 6 - 1 and a sixth-second lower coupling member LCM 6 - 2 .

With further reference to FIG. 8 , in the folded state, the second plate portion PLT 2 may be seated on the first inclined surface BS 1 _IS 2 , the fifth plate portion PLT 5 may be seated on the second inclined surface BS 2 _IS 2 , the third plate portion PLT 3 may be seated on the second flat surface BS 1 _IS 3 , and the sixth plate portion PLT 6 may be seated on the fourth flat surface BS 2 _IS 3 . In this case, the first inclined surface BS 1 _IS 2 , the second flat surface BS 1 _IS 3 , the second inclined surface BS 2 _IS 2 , and the fourth flat surface BS 2 _IS 3 may provide a supporting force capable of bending a portion of each of the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 , which are disposed in the folding area FA, to allow the first digitizer layer DG 1 and the second digitizer layer DG 2 to be bent in a shape corresponding to the shape of the first inclined surface BS 1 _IS 2 , the second flat surface BS 1 _IS 3 , the second inclined surface BS 2 _IS 2 , and the fourth flat surface BS 2 _IS 3 .

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 , in at least one of the folded state and the unfolded state, one side of the first inclined surface BS 1 _IS 2 , the other side of the first inclined surface BS 1 _IS 2 , one side of the second inclined surface BS 2 _IS 2 , and the other side of the second inclined surface BS 2 _IS 2 may overlap the first hinge portion HG 1 , the second hinge portion HG 2 , the third hinge portion HG 3 , and the fourth hinge portion HG 4 , respectively, in the thickness direction. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8 , in a cross-sectional view, a length of each of the second plate portion PLT 2 and the third plate portion PLT 3 may be substantially the same as a width of each of the first inclined surface BS 1 _IS 2 and the second flat surface BS 1 _IS 3 , respectively, and a length of each of the fifth plate portion PLT 5 and the sixth plate portion PLT 6 may be substantially the same as a width of each of the second inclined surface BS 2 _IS 2 and the fourth flat surface BS 2 _IS 3 .

In FIGS. 7 and 8 , the first base member BS 1 and the second base member BS 2 are illustrated as being cover members covering a lower stack structure, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the first base member BS 1 and the second base member BS 2 may include an electronic component such as a cover forming an exterior of the display device 1 , a flexible circuit board, a battery, or the like, a frame for mounting the electronic component, and the like in addition to the upper stack structure US, the display panel DP, and the lower stack structure LS shown in FIG. 3 .

The embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 is substantially the same as or similar to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 except that the first base member BS 1 and the second base member BS 2 are further included, and thus in the following, redundant descriptions will be omitted for ease in explanation of these figures.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views of a display device according to still another embodiment.

FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively illustrate a cross-section of a display device 1 in a folded state and a cross-section of the display device 1 in an unfolded state, similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 .

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 , the display device 1 may further include a connection member CM covering a gap between a first plate member WP 1 and a second plate member WP 2 .

The connection member CM may be disposed in a folding area FA. One side of the connection member CM is connected to a third plate portion PLT 3 , and the other side of the connection member CM may be connected to a sixth plate portion PLT 6 . One side of the connection member CM may be attached to a lower surface of the third plate portion PLT 3 , and the other side of the connection member CM may be attached to a lower surface of the sixth plate portion PLT 6 , but the embodiment is not limited thereto.

For example, the connection member CM may be made of a material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that does not change well in length when the display device 1 is folded and unfolded. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the connection member CM may be accommodated such that at least a portion thereof is folded or bent in a space provided under the third plate portion PLT 3 and the sixth plate portion PLT 6 in the unfolded state, and may be flatly deployed to cover a gap between the third plate portion PLT 3 and the sixth plate portion PLT 6 , whose width increases, in the folded state.

In some implementations, the connection member CM may be formed to be stretchable. For example, the connection member CM may be formed of a member including a mesh structure such as a nonwoven fabric, or may be made of a stretchable material such as rubber or polyurethane. In this case, unlike that shown in FIG. 9 , the connection member CM may be stretched and compressed to correspond to a width of the gap between the third plate portion PLT 3 and the sixth plate portion PLT 6 , which is varied according to the unfolded state and the folded state, while maintaining a tensioned state.

The embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 is substantially the same as or similar to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 except that the connection member CM is further included, and thus in the following, redundant descriptions will be omitted for ease in explanation of these figures.

A display device according to various embodiments can have a minimum separation distance between members separated from each other based on a folding area while having a small thickness.

Effects according to the embodiments are not limited by the content described above, and more various effects are included in the present specification.

In concluding the detailed description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and modifications can be made to the preferred embodiments without substantially departing from the principles of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed preferred embodiments of the invention are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Although certain embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from this description. Accordingly, the inventive concepts are not limited to such embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the appended claims and various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.